Wednesday, March 9, 2011
WELL AFTER A VERY UN-EVENT FULL TRIP. I CANT BELIEVE I WENT THROUGH THE AIRPORT SECURITY TWICE AND NO PAT-DOWN THIS IS A RECORD FOR ME. THANK GOD WE HAVE MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO OUR APARTMENT WE WILL BE AT FOR A FEW DAYS IN KRIOV WE HAVE OUR SDA APPOINTMENT IN THE MORNING THURSDAY THE 10TH. WE SHOULD GET PERMISSION TO TRAVEL TO THE REGION ON FRIDAY TO SEE THE KIDS. WE WILL HAVE A 12 HOUR TRAIN RIDE THAT I CANT WAIT TO SEE IT SHOULD BE INTERESTING TO SAY THE LEAST.I AINT BEEN ON A TRAIN SINCE I WAS IN THIRD GRADE. I BET THEY DON'T EVEN USE COAL ANYMORE. WE ARE NOT SURE ABOUT INTERNET CONNECTION BUT FOR NOW WE HAVE IT.THIS MODERN TECH STUFF IS GREAT WE WERE ABLE TO SKYPE HOME LAST NIGHT I DONT KNOW WHAT I WOULD OF DONE IF MOMA HEN COULDN'T HAVE SEEN HER CHIC'S I HAVE BEEN WAITING TO WRITE A STORY ON THE BLOG FOR A WHILE I HAVE IT WRITTEN ON PAPER FOR THE MOST PART SO IN THE COMMING DAYS WHEN I FIGURE ALL THIS OUT I WILL GET IT POSTED SO STAY CHECKED IN..I WANA SAY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HADE A PART IN THIS FROM OUR FAMILY WHO SUPPORTS US WITH OUR DECISION TO ADDOPT,TO MY HELP AT THE STORE WHO IS WILLING TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF MY BUSINESS LIKE ITS THEIR OWN,TO MY FRIENDS WHO ARE GONNA GET MAD BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET TO DO ANYTHING BUT WERE 100% WILLING TOO,TO ALL OF LEEANNS FRIENDS WHO WERE 100% WILLING TO HAVE THEIR ROOTS SHOWING FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER,TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY WHO HAS BEEN PRAYING FOR US. AND ALL OF THE POOR FOLKS THAT ARE ON THE LIST TO HELP WITH CARSON HIS MOMA REALLY REALLY APPRECIATES IT,AND LAST BUT NOT AT ALL THE LEAST JUSTIN DONT LET THE MONSTER GET YOU YOU GET IT FIRST AND HAVE SOME FUN WITH IT. ALL WE CAN SAY IS THANKS NO YOU HAVE NOT TRAVELED HALF WAY AROUND THE WORLD TO CHANGE THE WORLD IN THE LIVES OF TWO CHILDREN BUT YOU HAVE DONE YOUR PART AND FOR THAT I AM TRUELY GRATEFUL. GOD DIDN'T CALL ALL FOR ADOPTION BUT HE HAS CALLED US ALL TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THANKS AND WE LOVE YOU MIKE
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
True test of faith!
Let me start by saying this is Hannah again. I have been battling myself all day on whether or not I should write this blog. In these past few days I have been filled with so many emotions that I can hardly put into words. When I woke up Sunday morning the realization hit me.....this is it....its finally happening. For the past 7 months I have dreamt about the day my parents would leave to go and pick up the kids. I prepared myself for extra gas money driving the further distance to work, helping Carson with homework, skype conversations with Vika and Sly.....but what I didn't prepare for is the feeling I would have when I said goodbye.
God has been preparing my family for us to have two new children. This past week I have been majorly struggling but I have not wanted to burden my parents or anyone else with all of my thoughts. Two main things have been tugging at my heart, the fact that I let other things keep me from truly praising God for all that I have (especially a new brother and sister) and that I wont be a "good enough" big sister for them.
God has been working in my heart for the past few weeks and dealing with me about my thankfulness or lack there of. Vika and Sly mean the absolute world to me. I am so thankful that God chose my family to be theirs. But at the same time God would constantly question me with "have you truly thanked me?" I have been very selfish. I let the fact that God was dealing with me about certain areas in my life overtake my praise and thankfulness to Him. I can tell you here today that I will spend everyday of the rest of my life thanking God that I was able to be a small part in this entire process. I heard once "When you quit getting thankful for things, you quit getting things!" I pray that God continues to work in my life. I pray that my praise never gets as slack as it has been. I don't deserve to be a part of these kids lives but thank God He is allowing me to be!
Now the next thing has been the hardest thing. Maybe it is God trying to prepare me for the kids or maybe it is me just being emotional, but none the less it has been on my mind. I have been battling with being the "only Jesus people may see!" I want to be the kind of Christian that has people questioning, what does she have? I want people to know that they can come to me, I want people to know that I will pray for them, I want people to know the God that has blessed me so very much. You ask what does this have to do with Vika and Sly? Well recently I have felt like I haven't been the sister that I should have been or should be to any of my brothers. I feel like there have been times that I have failed them and it breaks my heart. I want to make sure that I am the absolute best that I can be for Vika and Sly. They deserve a sister that puts God first, but that puts them second. And here today that is what I promise to be to them. I don't want a second to pass that they feel like they aren't important to me. These two kids have changed my life in a way that I can't put into words. They have showed me a side of life that I didn't know exsisted. They along with the other kids at camp showed me there is more to life than money, school, a boyfriend, and even friends. Since the week I spent with these kids God has done a major work in my life which brings me to my title.
God has proven Himself faithful to me in so many ways. Every time that I have prayed and asked God to comfort me and my family, it was as if I could almost feel His arms around me. Everytime I asked that He could ease my mind of worrying about the kids, He would have me thinking about something else in no time. We prayed for God to quickly let us get our kids and days later my parents were on a plane! God has proven to be my comfort so many more times than I could ever imagine. So today as I rode home from spending time with Carson, Nanny, Luke, and the kids God began to speak to me. He filled me with an assurance like He was saying "I will make sure you are good enough....stay true to me and I will continue to mold you." It was while riding in my car listening to the song He'll Be Enough that I finally gave me every fear, worry, and concern over to the Lord. This verse rings true tonight....."There's no place that I can go that He doesn't know exactly where I'll be....He's always aware of whereever I am and just what I need!"
Praise God I know that He is in Ukraine comforting both my parents and my new siblings! This is just one more time that I know God will show Himself faithful to not only me but my family. I challenge you tonight, whatever you may be facing in your life....thank God for your circumstances and let Him be the amazing Comforter that He has been to me. I promise you the road won't always be easy, but God will bring you through time and time again!
Dad and LeeAnn....I miss you both already! It was so great getting to talk to you today. Tonight we had dinner and spent time playing with the kids. LeeAnn-Brook asked about you quite a few times and I kept telling her "She went to go get Vika and Sly" to that she responded "Vika, Vika, Vika!" Justin was able to come by and spend a few minutes. Dad he says that he will have the computer on in the morning! I love you both so much! I pray constantly for God to keep you safe and to ease your minds. We have this over here just enjoy yourselves there! Remember I couldn't go so you both have to take enough in for me! I love yall and cant wait to skype again!
God has been preparing my family for us to have two new children. This past week I have been majorly struggling but I have not wanted to burden my parents or anyone else with all of my thoughts. Two main things have been tugging at my heart, the fact that I let other things keep me from truly praising God for all that I have (especially a new brother and sister) and that I wont be a "good enough" big sister for them.
God has been working in my heart for the past few weeks and dealing with me about my thankfulness or lack there of. Vika and Sly mean the absolute world to me. I am so thankful that God chose my family to be theirs. But at the same time God would constantly question me with "have you truly thanked me?" I have been very selfish. I let the fact that God was dealing with me about certain areas in my life overtake my praise and thankfulness to Him. I can tell you here today that I will spend everyday of the rest of my life thanking God that I was able to be a small part in this entire process. I heard once "When you quit getting thankful for things, you quit getting things!" I pray that God continues to work in my life. I pray that my praise never gets as slack as it has been. I don't deserve to be a part of these kids lives but thank God He is allowing me to be!
Now the next thing has been the hardest thing. Maybe it is God trying to prepare me for the kids or maybe it is me just being emotional, but none the less it has been on my mind. I have been battling with being the "only Jesus people may see!" I want to be the kind of Christian that has people questioning, what does she have? I want people to know that they can come to me, I want people to know that I will pray for them, I want people to know the God that has blessed me so very much. You ask what does this have to do with Vika and Sly? Well recently I have felt like I haven't been the sister that I should have been or should be to any of my brothers. I feel like there have been times that I have failed them and it breaks my heart. I want to make sure that I am the absolute best that I can be for Vika and Sly. They deserve a sister that puts God first, but that puts them second. And here today that is what I promise to be to them. I don't want a second to pass that they feel like they aren't important to me. These two kids have changed my life in a way that I can't put into words. They have showed me a side of life that I didn't know exsisted. They along with the other kids at camp showed me there is more to life than money, school, a boyfriend, and even friends. Since the week I spent with these kids God has done a major work in my life which brings me to my title.
God has proven Himself faithful to me in so many ways. Every time that I have prayed and asked God to comfort me and my family, it was as if I could almost feel His arms around me. Everytime I asked that He could ease my mind of worrying about the kids, He would have me thinking about something else in no time. We prayed for God to quickly let us get our kids and days later my parents were on a plane! God has proven to be my comfort so many more times than I could ever imagine. So today as I rode home from spending time with Carson, Nanny, Luke, and the kids God began to speak to me. He filled me with an assurance like He was saying "I will make sure you are good enough....stay true to me and I will continue to mold you." It was while riding in my car listening to the song He'll Be Enough that I finally gave me every fear, worry, and concern over to the Lord. This verse rings true tonight....."There's no place that I can go that He doesn't know exactly where I'll be....He's always aware of whereever I am and just what I need!"
Praise God I know that He is in Ukraine comforting both my parents and my new siblings! This is just one more time that I know God will show Himself faithful to not only me but my family. I challenge you tonight, whatever you may be facing in your life....thank God for your circumstances and let Him be the amazing Comforter that He has been to me. I promise you the road won't always be easy, but God will bring you through time and time again!
Dad and LeeAnn....I miss you both already! It was so great getting to talk to you today. Tonight we had dinner and spent time playing with the kids. LeeAnn-Brook asked about you quite a few times and I kept telling her "She went to go get Vika and Sly" to that she responded "Vika, Vika, Vika!" Justin was able to come by and spend a few minutes. Dad he says that he will have the computer on in the morning! I love you both so much! I pray constantly for God to keep you safe and to ease your minds. We have this over here just enjoy yourselves there! Remember I couldn't go so you both have to take enough in for me! I love yall and cant wait to skype again!
Monday, March 7, 2011
We leave today!
It seemed as though today would never come... We are packed and ready! Our Pastor and friend is taking us to the airport this morning. We fly out of Atl.at 3pm headed for Paris. Then straight to Kiev. We are really not sure about time b/c of all the change but think it will be 13 or so hours and then 7 hours ahead in Kiev.
I am a thankful Mama this morning. Nick is working out of town and text me "not to worry bout the ones here ,just go get the rest of our family." My little man Carson held my hand and prayed for our safety and trusted God with his family before I took him to school. Justin has taken on the responibility of the grocery store and I know He will do great. Hannah has my back and it going to be here for Nanny, Brandy and Grandaddy . They are all pulling together and stepping up to the plate! I know that God has used this to bring my family closer and I am so thankful..
We cherish all the prayers! Asking God to use this time for his glory!
Pls remember my Grandmother in your prayers.
I am a thankful Mama this morning. Nick is working out of town and text me "not to worry bout the ones here ,just go get the rest of our family." My little man Carson held my hand and prayed for our safety and trusted God with his family before I took him to school. Justin has taken on the responibility of the grocery store and I know He will do great. Hannah has my back and it going to be here for Nanny, Brandy and Grandaddy . They are all pulling together and stepping up to the plate! I know that God has used this to bring my family closer and I am so thankful..
We cherish all the prayers! Asking God to use this time for his glory!
Pls remember my Grandmother in your prayers.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
SDA Date
OUR DATE HAS COME!!!!! We so EXCITED! and I am nervous, emotional.... and so many other scattered thoughts. Yesterday after 3 weeks we were told our SDA date is March 10th. Wow!
Mike has already booked our flights. :0) We have lots of last minute things to handle. Please pray for our family! We serve an awesome God !He's got the whole world in His hand's! We will write more soon, Much Love to all,
P.s. Happy Birthday to me! don't think I will forget this one :0)
Mike has already booked our flights. :0) We have lots of last minute things to handle. Please pray for our family! We serve an awesome God !He's got the whole world in His hand's! We will write more soon, Much Love to all,
P.s. Happy Birthday to me! don't think I will forget this one :0)
Sunday, February 27, 2011
From A Child's Perspective!
I guess I should start by saying that this is Hannah writing this one. It has been 180 days since my family decided to adopt Vika and Sly.....and I can honestly say that every single day God has showed me how great He is. There have been days that I wandered if I could make it through the day without knowing if they were okay. But every day God has proved faithful to comfort me! I have wanted to write a blog for a while but did not want it to be a rambling session so I am going to try my hardest to stay on track! :)
I titled this blow From A Child's Perspective. Granted, I am not a child but I am a child in my family. I often wander if not only my parents but our fellow adoptive parents truly know how their biological children feel about the adoptions. So I am choosing to explain a little of how we "children" feel.
When me and my dad went to the hosting program, after a few short hours of meeting the kids I was filled with such jealousy. From the moment I met them I knew in my heart that I wanted one of them to be "ours." I didn't tell anyone including my dad but I began begging God that He would allow us to be a bigger part of this experience. I became over whelmed with peace that my family's journey was not over-that it was really just beginning. I knew in my heart that my God had a bigger plan! And oh was I so right!
So many times people have said to me..."your life is going to change, are you worried your parents can't show you all the love they do now, your parents can't afford all of the things you have now, you won't be as important as you are now...aren't you jealous?" All I have to say to every one of those is ABSOLUTELY NOT! I have never one single moment in time thought any of these things about our adoption.
We grew up with four kids in our family---we have MASTERED the art of sharing! My parents love and attention has been split equally between us all for our entire lives. The only difference now is it will be split six ways----PRAISE GOD! :) The way we see it we will have two more siblings to pick on, to love, to hunt with, to go to church with, to wrestle with, to call when we get down, to go on beach trips with, and to share our wonderful nieces and nephew with! I cannot wait for the day that the kids are home with us. God has given me such peace just like He did at camp. I know that He is comforting them now even when we can't from so far away. My family isn't naive enough to think that it will be all smiles and happiness when the kids are finally home, we know there will be tough times, but we have been through enough to know that He will be enough! :)
My advice to any adoptive families or anyone considering adoption.....make your "new" children an everyday part of your life even when they aren't home with you yet. It is so comforting to see pictures of Vika and Sly every where. It touches my heart every time that I hear my dad pray and ask God to protect all of his children no matter where they are in the world. Don't be scared to miss them, don't be scared to cry for them.....I know that I do just about every day! God has proven time and time again that He can take care of my every need. As we wait for news of when my parents are to travel I am once again overwhelmed with peace that God has a bigger plan! :)
To sum it all up....to those who have questions......never once have I resented my parents for taking on two more children. I can say with complete honesty that I have never loved or respected my parents more. It means the world to me that they are willing to open their hearts to two amazing, funny, goregous, sweet, hilarious, selfless kids who didn't have anyone. I will end by asking everyone to pray for our family as we continue to go through this journey God has chosen for us....and know that each of you are in our prayers every day! :)
I titled this blow From A Child's Perspective. Granted, I am not a child but I am a child in my family. I often wander if not only my parents but our fellow adoptive parents truly know how their biological children feel about the adoptions. So I am choosing to explain a little of how we "children" feel.
When me and my dad went to the hosting program, after a few short hours of meeting the kids I was filled with such jealousy. From the moment I met them I knew in my heart that I wanted one of them to be "ours." I didn't tell anyone including my dad but I began begging God that He would allow us to be a bigger part of this experience. I became over whelmed with peace that my family's journey was not over-that it was really just beginning. I knew in my heart that my God had a bigger plan! And oh was I so right!
So many times people have said to me..."your life is going to change, are you worried your parents can't show you all the love they do now, your parents can't afford all of the things you have now, you won't be as important as you are now...aren't you jealous?" All I have to say to every one of those is ABSOLUTELY NOT! I have never one single moment in time thought any of these things about our adoption.
We grew up with four kids in our family---we have MASTERED the art of sharing! My parents love and attention has been split equally between us all for our entire lives. The only difference now is it will be split six ways----PRAISE GOD! :) The way we see it we will have two more siblings to pick on, to love, to hunt with, to go to church with, to wrestle with, to call when we get down, to go on beach trips with, and to share our wonderful nieces and nephew with! I cannot wait for the day that the kids are home with us. God has given me such peace just like He did at camp. I know that He is comforting them now even when we can't from so far away. My family isn't naive enough to think that it will be all smiles and happiness when the kids are finally home, we know there will be tough times, but we have been through enough to know that He will be enough! :)
My advice to any adoptive families or anyone considering adoption.....make your "new" children an everyday part of your life even when they aren't home with you yet. It is so comforting to see pictures of Vika and Sly every where. It touches my heart every time that I hear my dad pray and ask God to protect all of his children no matter where they are in the world. Don't be scared to miss them, don't be scared to cry for them.....I know that I do just about every day! God has proven time and time again that He can take care of my every need. As we wait for news of when my parents are to travel I am once again overwhelmed with peace that God has a bigger plan! :)
To sum it all up....to those who have questions......never once have I resented my parents for taking on two more children. I can say with complete honesty that I have never loved or respected my parents more. It means the world to me that they are willing to open their hearts to two amazing, funny, goregous, sweet, hilarious, selfless kids who didn't have anyone. I will end by asking everyone to pray for our family as we continue to go through this journey God has chosen for us....and know that each of you are in our prayers every day! :)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
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